Thaindian News

Jodhpur, May 27 (ANI): Commenting on the accident of a Mig-21 ‘Bison’ plane on Wednesday, Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major today said that the Indian Air Force is deeply concerned about the loss of life or loss of fighter jets during accidents.

” Its is more of a worry for the IAF than anybody else, and we are extremely worried. About loss of life or loss of aircraft, which depletes our combatage,” the Indian Air Force Chief said.

The fighter plane, which had taken off for a routine sortie from the Jodhpur airbase, crashed on a barren stretch of land in Luni village in Mordijoshyan. There was no damage on the ground and pilot ejected safely.

It is the third mishap in less than a month putting a question mark on the IAF’s ambitious upgradation programme for the fighter fleet.

Replying to a question regarding crash of Su-30MKI on April 30, Air Force Chief designate Air Marshal P V Naik said: “We are extremely worried and enquiry has been ordered. We are waiting for a conclusion if there is anything to correct we will do it immediately but it’s a long process.”

Earlier, a Mig-27 fighter aircraft, had crashed near here on May 15, and a Sukhoi-30MKI air superiority fighter had crashed near Jaisalmer on April 30.

IAF has lost five aircrafts this year, the first being a Kiran-MKII of the Surya Kiran aerobatics team in Bidar on January 21 followed by an unmanned aerial vehicle mishap the same day in Hashimara. (ANI)